Each month, AnOther's editors give their fashion recommendations. January's highlights include Azzedine Alaïa in the 21st Century in The Netherlands, a Woody Allen season at the BFI and Chanel's pop-up boutique in Courchevel...
Azzedine Alaïa in the 21st Century, until May 6
The Netherlands' Groninger Museum plays host to the work of the esteemed Tunisian designer Azzedine Alaïa, concentrating solely on his output from the past decade. A designer who has eschewed the fashion calendar, preferring to hold private appointments at his Paris studio and who only sells in a small number of stores, this exhibition allows the opportunity to observe his intense craftsmanship and talents in establishing a strong signature aesthetic.
Woody Allen & Charles Dickens Seasons
The BFI celebrates the works of Woody Allen and Charles Dickens over the next month. Allen's roster is focused on his comedy work and includes the classic Manhattan starring Diane Keaton and thick brow hero Mariel Hemingway. Suprisingly, Allen disliked his work in this film, one of his most popular, so much that he offered to direct another film in return it was held back. To coincide with Dickens' 200th birthday, the BFI also continues with its three-month survey of the English novelist with screenings of the many adaptations of his work for film and television.
Sales and Shows
January is the time to seek out reduced autumn/winter 2011 looks. AnOther's recommendations include Céline at Dover Street Market (40% off a brilliantly executed fur and leather infused collection) and crowd-less online sales on Net-a-Porter and Browns. Saturday 14 sees the men's shows kick off in Milan, and the haute couture shows commence on Monday 23.
Chanel in Courchevel
Once again, Chanel comes to the Alps this month with a temporary boutique set up in the French resort of Courchevel, in situ until mid-April. Welcoming visitors at the entrance are four snowy white busts of Mademoiselle Chanel herself, with inside stocking ready-to-wear, jewellery, watches and the ultimate in ski and après-ski chic.
"Azzedine Alaïa in the 21st Century allows the opportunity to observe his intense craftsmanship and talents in establishing a strong signature aesthetic"
Damien Hirst launches new work at Other Criteria, January 10
Ahead of his major exhibition at the Tate this April, New Bond Street's Other Criteria Gallery is hosting an exclusive launch of brand new Spot Prints by Damien Hirst, on display until February 14. Hirst has revisited arguably his most iconic works and created 12 new versions, which will hang alongside earlier pieces in the series.
The Trouble with Productivity, January 11
Artists, writers and curators today, more than ever, take part in a time-pressured culture of high performance. One is constantly expected to be productive, professional, and to deliver good work. On January 11, writer and critic Laura McLean- Ferris, Paul Pieroni, curator of Space, and writer and philosopher Lars Iyer, author of Spurious, discuss the potentials in being less productive.
Comme des Garçons in Berlin, January 15
Comme des Garçons are bringing two of their innovative retail concepts to Berlin in the form of the Black Shop and the Pocket Shop, both opening on January 15. The Black Shop will contain the brand's Black Line designs (iconic pieces in all-black and moderately priced), whilst the more intimate Pocket Shop next door is set out like a convenience store, housing perfumes, wallets and smaller accessories.
The Festival for the Living, January 28-29
In what is commonly considered the most depressing month of the year, the Southbank Centre is taking an outré look at human mortality, with a weekend festival of talks, workshops, folk-noir music and literature celebrating the single certainty every human being shares – death. From a discussion of the infamous "27 Club", the science of death and what happens to your corpse to debates on euthanasia, organ donation and the experience of grief, it is an essential for anyone willing to come to terms with their inevitable fate.
Jefferson Hack & Jo-Ann Furniss in conversation, January 27
Somerset House is hosting a discussion between Dazed & Confused and AnOther founder and editor in chief Jefferson Hack and Jo-Ann Furniss, editor of Making It Up As We Go Along, the book charting Dazed's 20-year history. They will consider the inspiration behind the book and the accompanying exhibition, also at Somerset House until January 29.
Compiled by Laura Bradley, Daisy Woodward and Tish Wrigley
